A Dhaka court has handed down a cumulative 20-year prison sentence to former Jubo League leader Ismail Chowdhury Samrat for amassing illegal wealth. The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, 25 February, by Judge Md. Zakaria Hossain of the Special Judge Court-6 in Dhaka.
The information was confirmed by Fakir Zahidul Islam, assistant to the high bench of the relevant court.
The case reached the verdict stage on 9 February after extensive legal arguments. On that day, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) counsel Nure Alam presented the prosecution’s submissions. As Samrat was absconding at the time, he did not provide a personal statement in court.
Allegations and Investigation
The charges against Samrat relate to the accumulation of illegal wealth amounting to BDT 29,480,087. The case was initially filed on 12 November 2019 by ACC Deputy Director Jahangir Alam, who also led the investigation.
The controversy surrounding Samrat intensified after a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) raid on 18 September 2019 exposed the operation of an illicit casino in Motijheel, Dhaka. Following this public disclosure, Samrat went into hiding.
He remained elusive until 7 October, when RAB apprehended Samrat along with his associate Enamul Haque Arman in Chouddagram, Comilla. On the same day, a subsequent operation was conducted at Samrat’s office in Bhuia Trade Centre, Kakrail, resulting in further evidence collection.
Case Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Ismail Chowdhury Samrat |
| Position | Former Jubo League leader |
| Charges | Accumulation of illegal wealth |
| Illegal Assets | BDT 29,480,087 |
| Case Filed | 12 November 2019 |
| Investigating Officer | Jahangir Alam (ACC Deputy Director) |
| Key Raids | 18 Sep 2019 (Motijheel casino), 7 Oct 2019 (Kakrail office) |
| Verdict Date | 25 February 2026 |
| Sentence | 20 years imprisonment (cumulative) |
The ACC continues to monitor compliance with the verdict, while authorities emphasise that all cases of financial corruption will be rigorously pursued, regardless of political affiliation.
Samrat’s conviction marks a significant development in the ongoing campaign against illicit wealth and gambling networks operating in Dhaka and other urban centres. Legal analysts note that the sentence may set a precedent for future high-profile corruption cases in Bangladesh, reflecting the judiciary’s firm stance against financial crime.